]>
Betsy Block: Mama Cooks: columnshttp://mamacooks.com
Betsy BlockenBetter Than Cake: Couldn't be the Ice Creamhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=Better_Than_Cake&display=1760
A woman in my exercise class had just finished 50 minutes of an intense strengthening class. Now she was going to take an intense cardio and strengthening class right after. Me, I can barely make it through one class. Two in a row is a lot of fitness for one ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=Better_Than_Cake&display=1760Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:39:04 ESTBetter Than Cake: Welcome to Better Than Cakehttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=Better_Than_Cake&display=1759
Hello, how are you, how have you been??! I've been rethinking things since I wrote my book, %201CThe Dinner Diaries: Raising Whole Wheat Kids in a White Bread World.%201D (It was a tragicomedy about trying to get my family to eat better.) Before I wrote my ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=Better_Than_Cake&display=1759Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:24:23 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Kale with Mustard Saucehttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1748
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. For all of my Healthful Hedonist recipes, go here. It's a busy time of year what with the end of school, invasive medical tests (love all those midlife surprises!), along with all the usual hooha. ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1748Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:53:51 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Sweet and Salty Glazed Porkhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1747
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. For all of my Healthful Hedonist recipes, go here. Ever had one of those months where two family members got fevers, there were social problems at school, someone needed an emergency root canal and ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1747Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:54:15 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Beet Saladhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1744
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. For all of my Healthful Hedonist recipes, go here. Beets, cooked and cubed sectioned oranges hazelnuts, toasted, peeled and chopped tarragon olive oil salt You can also crumble in some goat cheese. ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1744Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:36:11 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Beer Batter Fried Fishhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1741
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. For all of my Healthful Hedonist recipes, go here. Pardon me if this is a day late. It's been a tough few weeks around here. First, right as we were welcoming 50 people to our house for a party, ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1741Wed, 19 May 2010 16:11:09 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Ginger Lemon Tisanehttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1740
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. For all of my Healthful Hedonist recipes, go here. To you this drink may seem simple, but to those of us in Boston who spent two days and three nights without potable water, it's pure luxury. Raising ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1740Thu, 13 May 2010 07:30:13 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Dairy-free Golden Lemon Cake with Blueberry Saucehttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1736
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. For all of my Healthful Hedonist recipes, go here. My friend and neighbor asked if I had a good golden cake recipe for her son's birthday party. He%2019s allergic to dairy. I didn%2019t then, but ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1736Wed, 05 May 2010 15:11:09 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Turkey Bolognesehttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1735
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. For all of my Healthful Hedonist recipes, go here. Andy came up with this particular version of turkey bolognese and it's so, so good. Not much else to say - I'm posting late, it's school vacation ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1735Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:06:26 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Oatmeal Yogurt Pancakeshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1733
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. I don't like pancakes - if I'm having cake for breakfast it needs to be chocolate, but really I don't want cake for breakfast - and I'm generally growing a little tired of wheat. How much wheat do you ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1733Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:03:29 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Wonton Souphttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1732
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. Makes about 50 wontons, or one package of wrappers 2 tablespoons peanut oil Psifrac34Omicron pound of ground pork about two dozen shrimp, cut into small pieces 2 inches diced fresh ginger 3 large ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1732Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:49:08 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Tortilla Pizzahttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1731
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. NB: Check out tonight's Tavis Smiley Reports on PBS. While you're on the website, take a look at the piece on Hillary Clinton. This is good stuff. Otherwise, for all of my Healthful Hedonist recipes, ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1731Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:34:43 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Teriyaki Chickenhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1730
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. For all of my Healthful Hedonist recipes, go here and click on The Healthful Hedonist link at the right. It's not often we'll have a big ol' piece of animal flesh as the centerpiece of our meals ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1730Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:10:13 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Wild Salmon Cakeshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1727
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. Playing hooky as much as I can this week - it's warm and sunny for the first time in far too long. But even on a day when I don't feel like cooking, I can handle this: One 15-ounce can of wild salmon ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1727Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:26:43 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Pork Tacoshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1724
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. Recently I've been experiencing a healthy food backlash. It's like a yin-yang, seesaw kind of thing, encompassing both healthy and binge behaviors. For example, recently lunch consisted of a bowl ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1724Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:12:32 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Coconut Almond Granolahttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1722
Sustainable. Simple. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. I recently tried and failed to make chewy granola bars. Still craving something healthy and sweet, I came up with this instead. It got a bunch of thumbs up here, so I hope it will for you too. ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1722Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:06:25 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Roasted Green Beanshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1719
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. Have you ever tried roasting green beans? The first time I did this the sheet pan was picked clean within minutes and one little girl was in tears - literally, crying - when I told her there were no ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1719Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:26:11 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Garlic Souphttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1716
Savory. Sustainable. Simple. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. This little vignette has nothing to do with this week's recipe but it's been bothering me and I need to get it out: A few days ago I went to retrieve the chocolate-caramel bar I'd hidden from the ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1716Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:41:20 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Healthy(ish) Chocolate Muffinshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1715
Simple. Savory. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. A reader wrote in asking for a snack she could make for her fella to take on flights (hi, Sarah). At first I thought of granola bars, but after a couple tries I wasn't loving all that well-intentioned ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1715Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:24:44 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Vegetarian Lentilshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1712
Savory. Simple. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. Temps in Boston have been mostly in the single digits for weeks. When the sun appears, which is rare, its rays are like tea from a teabag that's already been used twice. A friend reports that Mercury ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1712Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:52:54 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Barramundi with Italianesque Toppinghttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1711
Savory. Simple. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. NB: I wrote a 2000-word "book" (in the parlance of this cool new website) called 10 Ways to Get Your Family to Eat Better. It costs $1.49 to download. If you buy it, please (!) don't share it. If you're ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1711Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:40:21 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Tofu with Greenshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1710
Simple. Savory. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. I never ever ever thought tofu would fly in this house of meat-lovin' Americans. I guess a couple years of hearing me endlessly yammer on about the evils of most meat finally wore my loved ones down. ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1710Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:48:15 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Roasted Eggplanthttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1709
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. This summer I visited Apple Street Farm, owned and run by superchef (and farmer) Frank McClelland of L'Espalier and Sel de la Terre. As I stood off to the side watching, notebook in hand, the chef ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1709Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:03:10 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwicheshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1706
This soup is tangy, smooth and refined, and I love the ease of the grilled cheese method. The only problem is, I can't tell if its sophisticated flavors make me want to go to a Boston museum and then out for drinks, or if its soothingly familiar taste makes ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1706Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:32:28 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Fried Calamarihttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1703
Simple. Savory. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. Happy, Merry, everyone. Serves four About 1 pound fresh calamari Equal parts flour and cornmeal totaling 1 cup mixed with salt and Bay seasoning Oil for frying Cut the calamari into strips, dredge ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1703Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:33:56 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Beet Tzatzikihttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1702
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. NB: This week's recipe has nothing to do with the essay below. Complete editorial freedom is the best part about having a website. I walk into a bakery and there it is: the holiday pastry display. ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1702Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:53:03 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Beet Greenshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1700
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. I'd just put some beets on the stove to cook (for a recipe I'll share next week) and was ignoring the quietly accusing greens. I always intend to cook the beet tops too, but instead they almost always ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1700Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:29:49 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Fall Saladhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1695
Simple. Savory. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. I don't know about you, but in my little universe there's been too much around-the-clock food prep, too much flu, and too much drab winter dreariness even though technically it's still fall. If you ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1695Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:43:04 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Balsamic Roasted Onionshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1693
Simple. Savory. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. I don't know about you, but lately I'm especially thankful for anything low-key and simple, from friendship to food. %2014That's why I was so excited when I got this gorgeous yet utterly doable recipe ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1693Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:48:54 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Chestnut Mushroom Souphttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1687
Savory. Simple. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. NB: A few people have asked if I can email them when I post a new column. The answer is no, I can'tOmicron I know email clutter all too well, although thank you for asking! Instead, you can sign up ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1687Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:48:43 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Tomato Soup and Blue Cheese Popovershttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1685
Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. %2014%2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 Savory. Simple. Sustainable. %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014Coming as soon as tech glitches are figured out (hopefully any hour now): a mushroom ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1685Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:05:54 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Swiss Chard Tacos with Smoky Chipotle Salsahttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1683
Simple. Sustainable. Savory. %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 %2014 We were having a busy day of cleaning, grocery shopping and raising two kids, but friends were ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1683Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:08:55 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Carrot Kibbehhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1681
Sofra is a bakery/caf in Cambridge, MA owned by acclaimed Boston chef Ana Sortun. I've fallen in love with it, proving it's possible to feel very strongly about a cafPsieacuteOmicron. My friends will even use it as a reward, as in, "If you do this hard thing ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1681Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:07:31 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Poached Eggs and Kalehttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1679
Black Kale with Poached Eggs by Frank McClelland I recently had the privilege of spending a morning with renowned Boston chef Frank McClelland, owner of L'Espalier and Sel de la Terre. I almost had to run to keep up with him as he showed a few of us his land, ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1679Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:07:41 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Sweet Potato Gnocchihttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1678
THE HEALTHFUL HEDONIST: COMFORT FOOD FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Simple. Savory. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. Middle of the night and suddenly I'm awake. My thoughts turn to gnocchi. I'm afraid. %2014 Did I really buy sweet potatoes ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1678Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:54:15 ESTThe Healthful Hedonist: Comfort Food for the 21st Century: Welcome to the Healthful Hedonisthttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1667
Simple. Savory. Sustainable. Wednesdays on Mama Cooks. Welcome to my new column, The Healthful Hedonist, born from everything I learned while writing The Dinner Diaries: Raising Whole Wheat Kids in a White Bread World, my book about how and why I got my ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=01--The_Healthful_Hedonist-col-_Comfort_Food_for_the_21st_Century&display=1667Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:47:08 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Make Mama Look Good Enoughhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=1156
"It's time," I shouted up the stairs. Ten-year-old E was in his room with the door shut. Slammed shut, that is. "Oh, time for what?" he called back sweetly. Until that moment, I had been the penultimate Zen Mama all afternoon: endlessly patient, non-reactive ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=1156Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:03:57 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Mostly Funhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=973
In New England, we're allotted about 8 weekends of warm, sunny weather a year. That's 16 weekend days (give or take) when we can go outside and play with our kids. Last Saturday morning, it was clear that the next 48 hours weren't going to be among them. ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=973Wed, 02 Aug 2006 06:28:29 ESTMake Mama Look Good: A Look in the Mirrorhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=936
A friend of mine who's an amazing sign painter made magnetic bumper stickers for my car that say "mamacooks.com." I get a lot of questions about the magnetics, but last week a woman drove up to me and asked if that was my "business." I must have looked confused ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=936Wed, 19 Jul 2006 07:32:40 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Picnics: One Family's Compromisehttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=932
There's something magical about a casual meal of salads or sandwiches, a good baguette, a ripe cheese and some fruit enjoyed en plein airOmicron in other words, a picnic. The word picnic comes from the French pique-nique and was originally a potluck social ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=932Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:35:31 ESTMake Mama Look Good: That Stinkshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=747
To check out more Make Mama Look Good, go here. New post up every Wednesday. We were trying to come up with a menu when BD said, "You can make paella!" And with that, everything was under control again - or so it seemed. BD's folks were in town for a ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=747Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:48:28 ESTMake Mama Look Good: The Pizza and Coke Debaclehttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=536
Four-year-old P was playing with two friends at her school playground and I was talking with their sitter, the loquacious D. After an hour and a half, I was wondering if it would be possible to fall asleep while sitting up when a group of older kids came onto ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=536Wed, 03 May 2006 07:15:25 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Careful What You Wish Forhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=526
10-year-old E had been home sick for three days and my big birthday bash was fast approaching. I haven't had a party in about two decades, and I had guests coming from hundreds of miles away, and I was more than a little worried we'd all be felled by his malaise ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=526Wed, 26 Apr 2006 06:48:19 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Woulda Coulda Shouldahttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=442
My day had started at 5:30 a.m. with a crying four-year-old, quickly segued into the frenzy of breakfast and lunch-making, then moved right into a pre-8 a.m. walk, all uphill, to E's school. In other words, literally, the day could only go downhill from there. ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=442Wed, 19 Apr 2006 07:07:46 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Worth Fighting Overhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=402
"You're not fighting about mustard, right?" 10-year-old E asked sarcastically, coming into the kitchen where BD and I were - you know - fighting about mustard. "Because that would be really lame." I sighed, because of course E was right. It wasn't mustard ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=402Wed, 12 Apr 2006 07:19:05 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Blame it on the Chefhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=364
When I got a luscious-looking recipe for grilled sardines with pomegranate dressing from Salt Yard, I knew it would be a huge hit - not with the picky eater in the house, my husband BD, but rather with 10-year-old E, who loves grilled fresh sardines. A chef ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=364Thu, 06 Apr 2006 08:49:14 ESTMake Mama Look Good: It's All Relativehttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=322
In an amazing, unbelievable and almost incomprehensible coincidence, it turns out that someone barely related to me by marriage happens to live on our street, that she and her husband have become some of our favorite relatives, and that one night they and ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=322Thu, 06 Apr 2006 08:42:38 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Jerk Chickenhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=351
An old woman pulled out of a gas station. Every other car around had to stop as she made a painfully slow and wide right turn, blocking two lanes of traffic. Another driver shook his head and glared at her as she passed. "Wow, she was driving really slowly," ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=351Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:33:31 ESTMake Mama Look Good: International Travelhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=283
When I got a recipe for lobster paella from Washington, D.C. chef Jos Andres, co-author, with Richard Wolffe, of Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America, I have to say, I was pretty excited. I mean, lobster paella from an internationally-lauded Spanish chef? Does ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=283Thu, 06 Apr 2006 08:48:16 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Peachy http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=280
When I recently got a recipe for Brioche French Toast with Native Peaches from Tim Partridge, a renowned Boston chef, I found myself in a moral quandary. Here we were, in the midst of one of our epic winters, and I'd just gotten a recipe from a chef who's ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=280Thu, 06 Apr 2006 08:45:40 ESTMake Mama Look Good: She's Still Got Ithttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=269
We had friends over for dinner on Saturday night, and as I worked on this chicken pot pie in the morning, I felt a part of myself coming back to life: the old me who loves to spend a couple of hours slowly crafting a delicious meal. The one who got offed about ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=269Thu, 06 Apr 2006 08:47:45 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Happy Ending Latkeshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=267
A couple of weeks ago, school got out at 11:15 AM Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday because of teacher conferences. I just love having my kids at home, especially lately, since I've recently put the kibosh on TV. We played Monopoly, laughed, baked cookies, screamed ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=267Thu, 06 Apr 2006 08:45:24 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Hot Enoughhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=251
NPR.org - I'm opening the fireplace screen door, and now I'm putting the steak in the fireplace, right on top of the embers. On tonight's menu: Dirty Steak, or steak cooked on wood coals. As with so many great culinary discoveries, this one was an accident. ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=251Mon, 15 May 2006 11:08:31 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Exciting -- Sort ofhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=180
NPR.org - Recently, I cooked dinner for what I consider a crowd. Eight people (somehow) gathered at our dining room table, knees and elbows knocking together, enjoying a meal that I had made. Given that I'm a food writer, this may not sound like much of an ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=180Thu, 06 Apr 2006 08:44:01 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Call Me Jeeveshttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=112
The set-up: I've never been a big Thanksgiving fan - or a fan of any holiday, really. Something about all the hoopla leading up to the event depresses meOmicron the eerie silence on the day itself (whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, whatever) ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=112Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:12:37 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Glass Half Fullhttp://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=111
The set-up: Mama gets a little overwhelmed sometimes, especially at this time of year when the impending and odious "holiday season" threatens to throw an already crazy and only tenuously balanced life completely out of whack. So while I knew the Hindu festival ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=111Thu, 06 Apr 2006 08:44:44 ESTMake Mama Look Good: Make Mama Look Good http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=97
NPR.org - I'm a fraud. I haven't cooked in a decade. That's when we had our first child and my husband quietly took over kitchen duty. Even when we entertain -- okay, especially when we entertain -- this food writer is nowhere near the kitchen. Our unspoken ...http://mamacooks.com/index.php?page=columns&family=&category=05--Make_Mama_Look_Good&display=97Wed, 12 Apr 2006 07:24:25 EST